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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Marion find when he goes to Rosina's apartment?

2. What plan does Shiva come up with to save Marion?

3. What does Marion do when he's not working at connecting with Ghosh in prison?

4. What does the visiting doctor work involve at his hospital?

5. What does General Mebratu's brother do to him during the coup attempt?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Marion go when he is missing Genet, and what happens there?

2. How does Deepak feel about the famous doctor's suggestion and what does Marion learn from Deepak about the doctor?

3. Where does Marion go when he arrives in New York and how is he surprised there?

4. How does Marion feel when Genet returns, and why does Rosina complain?

5. What does Rosina do about Genet's sex drive and what happens as the result of that action?

6. What does Marion do when he finds out where Dr. Stone is?

7. What does Stone tell Marion about how he ended up in Africa?

8. What does Marion do to express his anger towards Stone?

9. Who does Marion meet because of her baby, what does he do with her and what is her response?

10. How does Marion finally end up having sex with Genet, and what does she do after they are together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Cutting for Stone", questions that Verghese most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Verghese' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Verghese' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Verghese and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Would you call the ending of "Cutting for Stone" happy? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Cutting for Stone" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why the book is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Cutting for Stone" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Cutting for Stone"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Cutting for Stone" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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